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In the 1930s USSR, composers and artists could face arrest - and death - at any moment. Michael Sheen narrates the story of how Shostakovich stared down the abyss - and survived.

Dmitri Shostakovich was the golden boy of Russian music – a star before he was even out of his teens. Shy and nervous in public, his music was outrageous, daring, and brilliant. But as Stalin tightened his grip on Soviet society at the height of the 'Great Terror' of the 1930s, the young composer found himself in the crosshairs of the regime. The ink was barely dry on his new, daring, Fourth Symphony. But he also knew that it could lead him to ruin.

Michael Sheen explores how Shostakovich faced up to unimaginable fear and uncertainty – and through his music, his genius and his cunning, was ultimately able to survive.

In Facing The Music, we experience the human drama behind some of the most extraordinary classical music ever written - told by legendary figures of stage and screen including Toby Jones, Maxine Peake, Andrew Lincoln and Don Warrington. Ten episodes explore the human frailties, obsessions, emotions and vulnerabilities we all experience, and the composers who confronted them - to create extraordinary music that would stand the test of time. In each episode we hear from creatives, psychologists and other experts to understand what we can all learn from their hopes, their struggles and their music.

This episode is narrated by Michael Sheen, and features contributions from Iranian-born illustrator Nahid Kazemi, and psychologist Dr Mengyao Li. The programme is written and produced by Hannah Dean.

Facing The Music is an Overcoat Media production for ´óÏó´«Ã½ Sounds and ´óÏó´«Ã½ Radio 3
The series is written and produced by Hannah Dean, Leonie Thomas, Gareth Ceredig, Katie Hill and Barney Rowntree – with additional production from Melvin Rickarby
Original Music: Peter Gregson
Sound Design and Mixing: Mike Woolley, with additional mixing by John Scott
Executive Producer: Steven Rajam
Production Management: Amy Wheel and Janice Jardine